The Flinn Foundation has contracted with executive search firm Spencer Stuart to coordinate the search for its next chief executive.

The move was prompted by the announcement of current President & CEO John W. Murphy to retire by June 1, 2009. Murphy joined the Foundation in 1981 as its executive director and first staff member.

The Foundation chose Spencer Stuart, an international firm with offices in 15 American cities, after issuing a request for proposals and interviewing several leading firms. Spencer Stuart has led searches for CEO-level positions at numerous foundations, universities, research institutes, and other types of organizations related to the Flinn Foundation’s specific areas of interest.

The search team is led by Sally Sterling, a seasoned executive-search veteran based in Washington, D.C., who specializes in the nonprofit sector and has led searches for many major foundations. Joining her is Mimi Hancock, a life-sciences specialist in the Bay Area with an industry background and Ph.D. in genetics.